Bill > SB854

This bill introduces the Consumer Data Protection Act, focusing on regulating social media platforms' interactions with minors under 16 years old. The legislation requires social media platforms to implement commercially reasonable age verification methods, such as neutral age screening mechanisms, to determine a user's age. Once a minor is identified, the platforms must restrict their daily usage to one hour per day for each service or application. Parents will have the ability to provide verifiable consent to adjust this time limit up or down. The bill stipulates that any information collected for age verification can only be used for that specific purpose and age-appropriate experiences. Importantly, platforms cannot discriminate against users by degrading service quality or increasing prices due to time limit restrictions. The law includes a specific definition of a "social media platform" that goes beyond simple messaging services, focusing on platforms that allow user profile creation, social connections, and user-generated content sharing. The provisions of this act will become effective on January 1, 2026, giving companies time to prepare for implementation.

Business and Industry, Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB854